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german studies ACADEMIC PROGRAM INFORMATION

Albert Einstein, , Martin Luther, Karl sciences have come from a strong German tradition. Through Marx, Angela Merkel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 2018, scientists from the three major German-speaking countries won 37 Nobel Prizes in physics, 41 in chemistry, and Erwin Schrödinger . . . These are just a few of the 33 in medicine, while many laureates from other countries German speakers who have changed our world. But received their training at German universities. 12 German- you don’t have to be Einstein to learn German! (The speaking writers have been awarded the for literature (including 2009 winner Herta Müller, 2004 winner word “English” comes from an old Germanic tribe Elfriede Jelinek, and 1999 winner Gunter Grass), and seven called the Angles!) Even a beginning German student Germans or have received the . will already understand hundreds of words that German is also a very useful language for business. Germany are similar in English and German, like das Buch, die is a major economic and diplomatic powerhouse. Often seen Mutter, der Apfel, and many more! as one of the leading member states of the European Union, Germany is home to the European Central Bank. Many major international companies have their headquarters in Germany: learning german at Centre Adidas, Allianz, BASF, Bayer, BMW, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche Learning German at Centre is an exciting adventure in a culture Telekom, Henkel, Mercedes-Benz, Merck, SAP, Siemens, that has helped shape our modern world. When the great Thyssenkrupp, and Volkswagen to name a few. German-speaking poet said “Du mußt dein Leben ändern!” (You must change your life!), he was referring to Your professors in the German program at Centre College the profound effect that a work of art had elicited in him. Art believe in helping you to reach both language and cultural and literature have transformative powers. Nothing transforms fluency through a variety of experiences that integrate German, you as much as immersing yourself in another culture. Austrian, and Swiss culture into the classroom. Indeed, our classrooms reach beyond the walls of Centre in Danville to Learning German opens up a whole new perspective: you will embrace all of these countries. be able to visit, enjoy, study, work, and live in Germany, , or Switzerland, and you will be able to appreciate masterpieces Goethe said: “Es ist nicht genug zu wissen, man muß auch of and works of great philosophers, anwenden. Es ist nicht genug zu wollen, man muß auch tun.” theologians, and other thinkers in the original language. At the (It is not enough to know, we must also put into practice. It is end of a German major, you can reach a level of language skills not enough to want to, we must also do.) In the spirit of to begin working for a German company. Goethe’s dictum, we enhance our classes with special activities. Some of the world’s greatest artists and as well as scholars in The German Club sponsors an informal weekly Stammtisch almost every discipline in the humanities, sciences, and social (conversation table), organizes trips to cultural events and

ADMISSION OFFICE | 600 WEST WALNUT STREET | DANVILLE, KENTUCKY 40422-1394 1.800.423.6236 | [email protected] | www.centre.edu German restaurants, and helps bring German-language movies Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer to Centre’s campus. Austauschdienst or DAAD) to expand their knowledge of German in Germany. german Courses Our German curriculum seeks to integrate the most fascinating Faculty aspects of German-speaking culture with the acquisition of CHRISTINA SVENDSEN (Ph.D., Harvard University). Dr. language skills. Each course in the German major focuses on Svendsen joined the Centre College faculty in 2016 as visiting a central question. In Vaterland und Muttersprache we look assistant professor of French and German. Her research and deeply into historical and contemporary definitions of teaching interests include comparative modernisms, the “Germany” and “German” to understand how complex these writings of Walter Benjamin, and the intersection of literary, notions can be. Other courses investigate German Cultural architectural, and critical theory. Svendsen earned an A.B. in Geography, deep levels of Advanced German Grammar, and literature, and an A.M. and Ph.D. in comparative literature from the theme of love in German literature and culture. German Harvard University; and an M.F.A. in fiction from the University Film seeks to better understand the culture, history, politics, of Virginia. social structures, and language of Central Europe through IAN WILSON (Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill). arguably the most important art form of the 20th-century. Dr. Wilson arrived at Centre in 2003. His scholarly interests include contemporary literature, space and place, Austria, and study Abroad the European Union. He has received two teaching awards Centre has a special program abroad at the Universität while at Centre. He has led students abroad to Germany, Regensburg. Students can immerse themselves in German Austria, Switzerland, France, Hungary, Belgium, and the Czech university life in this medium-sized northern Bavarian city. Since Republic during four long terms and seven short terms. In its inception, German students have also studied as part of the 2019, he led a group of Centre students from the beaches of Centre-in-Strasbourg program, hopping on the city’s light rail Normandy to Berlin, following the path of the U.S. military in system to cross the Rhine into Kehl, Germany. Students may 1944-45, and he oversees the abroad program in Regensburg. also participate in a program sponsored by another institution. In 2020 he will accompany another group of students to Centre faculty also visit German-speaking Europe frequently Germany. during the CentreTerm, with many courses featuring the option of German credit. Recently students have chosen to further FOR FURTHER INFORMATION their German fluency in cities such as Berlin, Freiburg, , CONTACT and Trier, among others. “Wanderlust” is a wonderful German Ian Wilson, Program Chair word that expresses the joys that come from setting out from 600 West Walnut Street home and discovering a whole new world. Many German Danville, Kentucky 40422 students continue their study of German after they graduate, 859.238.5241 whether on Fulbrights or as teachers of English. [email protected] fulbrights and DAAD Awards RELATED WEBSITE Program Overview All faculty members who teach German are Fulbright recipients, and the German Studies program has had outstanding success Visit Centre in recent years assisting students in receiving Fulbright grants The best way to judge Centre is to tour the campus, talk to the to study and teach in Germany and Austria — five German professors and students, attend a class, and spend the night in majors from the classes of 2008-2013 received Fulbrights. a residence hall. We invite you to visit and encourage you to Other students have received grants from the German contact the Admission Office if you have any questions. The Centre Commitment We back our promise with a deeply engaging and intensely personal education guarantee. If you meet regular academic and social expectations, you will complete all three parts of the Centre Commitment, or the college will provide up to an additional year of study tuition-free. Centre students will: • Study abroad • Have an internship or research opportunity • Graduate in four years

ADMISSION OFFICE | 600 WEST WALNUT STREET | DANVILLE, KENTUCKY 40422-1394 1.800.423.6236 | [email protected] | www.centre.edu 2/1/19